L-R: Richard Carr, Shaun Simmons from TT2, Michelle Murphy and Neil Heron with Year 9 students from Burnside Business and Enterprise College. Picture by Neil Denham.

Students at a Wallsend school have been learning more about their community’s role in the First World War.

More than a thousand books were donated to Burnside Business and Enterprise College by TT2 Limited, the company which runs the Tyne Tunnels.

The books, part of the Tynemouth World War One Commemoration Project, provide an illustration of the sacrifice of the local community in the Great War.

Shaun Simmons, senior tunnels officer at TT2 Limited, said: “The community of Wallsend and North Tyneside played a major part in the war effort and these books are an excellent way of letting people know about the sacrifices made by the community 100 years ago.

“We hope the donation of these books will provide real inspiration and boost community pride among the young people of Burnside Business and Enterprise College.”

Headteacher Michelle Murphy said: “We know how important it is for our students to fully understand all aspects of their heritage and the huge impact the First World War had in our own community and the sacrifice that so many made.

“The booklets that we have received mean that every Burnside student will have their own commemorative booklet that we hope will inspire them to think about the values and principles that so many died for.”

Year 9 student Emily Baker said: “These booklets will help us to remember how lucky we are – in World War One so many lost their lives to make our world the way it is today.”

Head of humanities Neil Heron, responsible for leading learning about the war, added: “The books look fantastic, with a range of general detail and local stories to really bring the conflict alive and show its importance in our area.”